Howard County, Maryland

What's Your Plan for Howard in 2030?

The next General Plan seeks to create a sustainability framework for enhancing our economy, environment and quality of life. This process dates back to the 1960's, when the first
General Plan was adopted with periodic updates to continually align policies and actions with the challenges and opportunities of the time. Now, you're needed to
help shape a shared vision for the County's future.

This site is your online resource for engaging in the General Plan update. You'll receive timely information on upcoming events, have an opportunity to share thoughts and provide feedback on plan documents, and most importantly, learn more about the many perspectives that will shape a collective vision for Howard's General Plan.

Where We Are

Phase 4, Spring 2012: County Council Considers Draft PlanPress Release
After the Planning Board's review and recommendations, the proposed General Plan is submitted as legislation for consideration by the County Council. The legislative process involves introduction of the General Plan as a Council Bill (CB-26-2012), a public hearing for citizen testimony, work sessions that may be requested by the Council and final consideration of the plan.

Phase 3, Spring 2012: Preliminary Draft PlanPress Release
The County's Planning Board will hold a public hearing to obtain citizen testimony on the plan. Prior to the hearing, the Board will host a series of open houses across the County to introduce the plan, answer questions and solicit public input. The Board will provide its recommendations on the plan to the County Council for final review and approval.

The adopted guidelines identify key issues the County will address in the General Plan. Staff will investigate alternative approaches, policies and actions. In the fall, the General Plan Task Force will meet to provide advice on policy and strategy alternatives, as well as implementation priorities.

Updating the County’s General Plan begins with developing Guidelines for studying the many challenges and opportunities that will
influence how Howard evolves over the next 20 years. A citizen Task Force has been convened to provide advice. The County’s Planning Board will hold public meetings on the draft
Guidelines and the final Guidelines are reviewed and adopted by the County Council.Task Force Announcement | Members

General Plan

PlanHoward 2030
is an update of the 2000 Howard County General Plan. The release of the adopted plan follows several months of Task Force and Planning Board discussion of topics that are critical to the County's future. The plan was adopted by the County Council during its July 2012 legislative session.